12 Essentials for an Elegant Country Wedding

“Potting plants along the sides of the aisle was an innovative way to evoke a country feel without taking the focus away from the couple during their I-Dos,” says Kerri-Lynn Orsini Mulhearn, Owner of Stella Day Events. Keeping the florals monochromatic was an elegant way to elevate the design of the ceremony as well as the country aesthetic.

Don’t crowd your ceremony space with unnecessary décor that could essentially take away from the magnificent country backdrop. “Sleek wood and iron ceremony chairs and lush green aisle runners beautifully complimented the outdoor venue’s stunning features ,” says Rosemary Hattenbach, Owner of Rosemary Events. “Opting to do without a ceremony structure was another way we chose to let the surroundings shine,” Hattenbach adds.

Whether you’re hosting your I-Dos at an outdoor venue, or at an indoor location, one of the best ways to elevate your country ceremony is with wooden accents. “Along with bringing in a personal touch to your I-Dos, keeping your palette neutral with raw wood tables and benches is a great way to create a nod to your countryside environment,” says Britt, Owner of BrittRene Photography, who captured this breathtaking outdoor ceremony that embraced tree stumps in replace of the traditional ceremony arch.

“This outdoor wedding ceremony took place on a working organic farm,” says Elisabeth Zemetis, Owner and Creative Director of Blush Floral Design who used a reclaimed wooden structure and a natural canvas canopy to create a rustic chuppah that coordinated with the natural surroundings. “We incorporated lots of dahlias and antiqued hydrangea, both of which could be seen growing in the gardens of the property,” Zemetis adds.

Taking a country wedding from rustic to upscale is all in the details. “We love taking a blank, rugged slate and making it shine,” says Eatherly Schultz, Owner of Floressence Flowers. Lush florals elevate raw materials and mixed metals in a tablecape. “Elegance can be anywhere, it just takes the right elements and details to bring it out,” Schultz adds

“When developing a wedding site in a broad open space, consider tailoring your aisle to flow with the surrounding area,” says Neillie Butler, Owner of Mariée Ami. Loose organic, florals lined the aisle of this alfresco setup, adding a pop of color with “something blue” hued blooms.

Keep the focus on seasonal and timeless floral elements. “Embrace the colors and elements found in nature when bringing country elements indoors,” says Andrea Smith, Owner and Chief Event Planner of SoiréeSmith. “For this wedding, we leaned into the combination of the blue found just outside the country club's lakeside views, while layering in the creamy whites, and greens, and the small pop of the garden roses and peonies found in garden's this time of year,” Smith adds.

“Bringing candlelight and nature such as birch logs into an already rustic setting such as a forest makes for an enchanting wedding,” says Jennifer Zukovsky, Co-owner of Fionna Floral. For this celebration, we used deconstructed, elegant florals such as orchids and calla lilies to add an upscale look while still respecting the organic nature of the event.”

To achieve a luxury feeling in a rustic setting, it's imperative to prioritize your guests' satisfaction. “For example, if you want to get married in the countryside with a beautiful, bucolic backdrop, make sure your guests have a comfortable, air-conditioned mode of transportation there, refreshing drinks upon arrival, and comfortable seats to sit on,” suggests Lisa Karvellas, CEO and Owner of Cedar Lakes Estate.

It’s easy to fall for the common misconception that a country wedding can’t be lavish. An absence of glitter and sparkle isn’t always the correct route when planning a countryside affair. “Consider adding crystal chandeliers into surrounding trees for lighting,” says Anne Mulvihill, Founder of Fête in France. This will add a touch of opulence while staying true to your overall country-inspired vision.